Education is a powerful tool for advancing women and promoting gender equality. It plays a crucial role in challenging gender norms, improving women's economic opportunities, fostering leadership skills, and breaking the cycle of discrimination.
Purnima Karmakar has worked as a teacher in the Brickfield schools for over six years. A resident of the Basirhat area of West Bengal, India, she finds purpose, contentment and joy in educating the children of the Brickfields community and contributing to their growth and development.
When she began her journey as a teacher, she had just graduated from secondary school and had insufficient savings or income to pursue higher education. However, thanks to KMWSC’s Teacher Training Program, Purnima had the opportunity to receive hands-on training through teaching the underprivileged children of the Brickfields while simultaneously earning a stipend to cover the cost of her degree.
Purnima says that approximately 90 trainee teachers out of 120 had or were currently utilising their stipends to pursue degrees. Although the schools are situated in remote areas and lack access to public transport and basic amenities like toilets, Purnima cycles daily to the Brickfields to share the gift of education with these children most in need.
She says: “These children are my pride and joy. Their well-being and safety are my topmost priorities.
There was once a child who had developed severe breathing problems, it was evident that he wasn’t well and needed to see a doctor immediately, but the parents were reluctant to take him to the nearby hospital because they didn’t want to spend any money. My colleagues and I tried to explain the gravity of the situation, but they constantly refused all our pleas. Eventually, us teachers gathered and contributed towards the check-up and follow-up medications. The boy is now healthy and regularly attends school.
For me seeing all these children progress and to help pave the way for a brighter future is my biggest accomplishment and I will always try to help them to the best of my abilities.”
Fighting injustice as a 'barefoot lawyer' in Darjeeling's tea plantations
Rajmuni's dedication to justice and her deep commitment to improving the lives of those living in the tea plantations of Darjeeling inspired her to join the MWIA-funded Legal Aid program as a ‘barefoot lawyer’.
Living on a tea plantation herself, Rajmuni witnessed firsthand the unjust working conditions experienced by her friends and neighbours, including poor pay, denial of benefits and in some cases, forced labour. Many of these issues have broader social implications, such as increased vulnerability to family violence, sexual abuse and human trafficking, all of which disproportionately impact women.
The living conditions of tea workers also present significant challenges, with many residing in substandard housing located within the estates where they are employed. These houses typically lack proper sanitation and access to clean water. Exposure to chemicals used on tea plantations pose further health risks to the workers, and poor medical facilities exacerbate these problems. There is little scope for quality education for children and in many cases, they work in the plantations instead of attending school.
What is a barefoot lawyer?
While not formally qualified in law, ‘barefoot lawyers’ are frontline workers who have received training to guide and support community members in legal matters, including worker exploitation, family violence, and human trafficking. When issues cannot be resolved with the assistance of a barefoot lawyer, a qualified lawyer will be engaged.
Barefoot lawyers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the community and the government legal services available to them. They assist community members to navigate the legal system effectively by accompanying them to legal clinics or police stations to access legal advice or lodge formal complaints.
As community leaders, barefoot lawyers provide people with knowledge about fundamental legal principles and practices and equip them with the skills to actively participate in protecting their rights and pursuing justice for themselves. These efforts contribute to creating a culture of legal knowledge and accountability within the tea plantations.
Barefoot lawyers also play a vital leadership role in effecting larger social change by advocating for legislative reform, upholding human rights principles, and challenging injustice.
How Rajmuni’s life has changed
Becoming a barefoot lawyer has had a profound impact on Rajmuni's sense of self-esteem and purpose in life. As she has immersed herself in this leadership role, Rajmuni’s growing confidence in her abilities has given her a sense of fulfillment from helping others know and defend their rights through the legal system.
Since becoming a barefoot lawyer, Rajmuni has learnt much about the legal rights of all people in India, helping her handle a wide range of issues. Her experience in the role has also given her deeper insight into the legal, social, and economic challenges faced by those living on tea estates. This empathy has helped her to advocate more successfully for justice and equality, particularly for women.
Rajmuni has developed strong skills in conflict resolution, which have proven effective in addressing many concerns at the local level without the need for escalation to the legal system. This ability to resolve conflict locally has been highly beneficial, as it has led to quicker and more amicable solutions while also reducing the burden on formal legal processes.
As a barefoot lawyer, Rajmuni has developed her own extensive rights network. She works collaboratively with other activists, leaders, community organisers, and legal experts to advocate for change. She continues to develop the strength and perseverance essential to deal with legal problems and has become a role model for her peers and a driving force for positive change.
Future goals
As a newly established leader in her community, Rajmuni is committed to gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and obstacles faced by all people in India. She is actively pursuing a formal education in legal studies, human rights and social justice to better address these issues.
By combining education with her work in advocacy and community engagement, Rajmuni can make a meaningful difference in the lives of marginalised people in her community and contribute to broader social change in India.
Teaching First Nations women it’s OK to stand up and be leaders
“The first time I visited Balgo, the local women cried,” says Bianca Long. “It made me realise how welcome I was. It really warmed my heart.”
Balgo (Wirrimanu), is one of Australia’s most remote Aboriginal communities, located in the south-east Kimberley region of Western Australia.
There’s little in Balgo. It’s a town of red dirt. The football field is gravel. The population of 500 people includes over eight First Nations language groups.
With limited job opportunities, people have to make their own.
That’s why, thanks to you, Mary Ward International supports Bianca’s work at Piriwa.
Through the Piriwa Enterprise Hub, Bianca, also known as ‘Jaru girl’ on her fashion label, visits frequently as a business development mentor.
Bianca works with local First Nations women to develop financial literacy, to create products and businesses and acquire the skills they need to succeed.
“I work with the local women to teach them about printing and designing clothes,” says Bianca.
“The goal is for Piriwa to develop their own fashion label and for the women to learn about fabric printing and design and making clothing via upcycling, as well as business and selling.”
Their goal is to have a range of locally produced or upcycled clothing products for the Kimberley Showcase In 2025.
“We hope to have young women model and be photographers.”
“We’ll have a market at the showcase, which will help raise funds and also help young women learn financial literacy.”
“We sell through the Piriwa op shop and aim to sell online as well.”
Their plans are modest – photography, retail, fabric design, soap making, clothing upcycling.
“But,” says Bianca,“It’s not just about skills, it’s about leadership development too.”
“I’m teaching them to be stronger women who can speak up and lead the change in economic development.”
“We need to empower more women to become leaders in their communities for their families and generations to come. It has a multi-generational effect.”
“And it’s good for the community because everything they do through the Piriwa op shop comes back to the community. Selling clothes and the fashion label gives them money to take young people out on country as well as older people and keep people strong and promote wellbeing.”
“And it teaches them that it’s OK for women to stand up and be leaders.”
“By me coming out and giving them these opportunities it makes the women at Piriwa feel strong and right,” says Bianca. Thank you for making that happen.
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